Amazon is very slick at selling are they not…..? Was on there the other day ordering something when in the “you may also like” part something caught my eye. ‘Twas the cover of an album by Signal Red (who I’d not heard of) titled Under the Radar.
Being somewhat impulsive when it comes to my music I thought no further about it other than to hit the button.
Nicely surprised when the CD arrived to discover that Signal Red is a joint-venture involving the excellent Lee Small on vocals (Lionheart etc.) the equally excellent guitarist Steve Grocott (Ten) with Under the Radar their debut album from 2018.
My interest then ramped up further as I do enjoy both Lionheart and Ten. Steve roped in fellow Ten bandmate Darrel Treece-Birch on keyboards with the other players here being Brian Anthony on bass and David Anthony drumming.
Steve wrote the music and Lee wrote the lyrics. Together they’ve put together quite superb album of powerful hard-edged melodic rock.
Lee’s effortless, clean and rangy vocal is right on point. As is Steve’s guitar work. Rather sublime with the variety in approach and fluid solos none of which outstay their welcome and instead fit with the songs. This isn’t a guitarist self-indulgent ego trip at all.
They keyboards add nicely to the atmosphere with the Anthonys’ providing solid back up.
On the opener, Defiant, the stall is set out in style. A strongly powerful four and a half minutes which punches away in some style where it all goes on in particular the guitar bursts.
Indeed – the first five cuts here all each quite sublime in range, power, hooks, melodies and Steve letting rip. Monster Truck for example races along just like one….
Pyramids of Mars stretches the approach towards atmospheric prog-metal territory demonstrating what song writing ability Lee and Steve have and how well they compliment each other. Have a listen to it:
Emotions in Motion is the only ballad on here and gives Lee the opportunity to show the sensitive edge to his vocal range.
Highwire, Contact and Goth the Girl get back to the harder stuff before the majestic eight minute epic of The Time Machine closes out the album. It’s all going on as it ebbs and flows between the bombast and melodic with fiery fretwork.
All in all it’s classy stuff and a “double thumbs up” recommendation.
>> SIGNAL RED UNDER THE RADAR ON AMAZON <<
There is a follow-up album – Alien Nation – which they released in 2020. Have ordered that and will review after it arrives.
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.